*CNN’s on-air talent have been prohibited from drinking on-air on New Year’s Eve.
The cable TV network is slated to host its annual NYE countdown special on Dec. 31 to ring in 2023. Hosts Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper will be allowed to carry on their usual intoxicated shenanigans as they have reportedly been exempt from the ban.
It appears the no-alcohol restriction mostly applies to Don Lemon. As noted by The New York Post, Lemon was so sloppy drunk last year that he declared himself to be a “grown-a– man” who was “able to share my point of view on television and it freaks people out and you know what.”
He also claimed that people dislike him because he is a “successful black man.”
READ MORE: Don Lemon Claps Back at ‘Haters’ During Drunk NYE Rant [WATCH]
“I am who I am. I’m a grown, successful black man who a lot of people hate because they’re not used to people seeing me – and people like me – in the position that I am,” Lemon continued.
One year, a drunk Don Lemon got his ear pierced live on the air after the ball dropped.
The New York Post reports that CNN’s new CEO Chris Licht recently told employees “that on-camera drinking damaged CNN’s credibility in the eyes of viewers, according to a Variety report which cited unnamed CNN staffers,” the outlet writes.
Cohen responded to the clampdown by vowing not to #turndown the drunken debauchery in Times Square for the upcoming New Year’s Eve festivities.
“I just want you to know that Anderson and I are going to party harder than we have ever partied before on New Year’s Eve!” an energized Cohen told viewers as his WWHL guests applauded with approval,” said Cohen said Wednesday on “Watch What Happens Live.”
One Instagram user responded under Cohen’s Instagram post of the segment, “It’s not NYE if I’m not watching Andy & Anderson drunk on CNN”.
Another added, “You and Anderson are the best to watch on NYE. Bottoms up!”
A third wrote, “I’m literally watching CNN NYE coverage for the messy drinking.”
Hear what Andy had to say about CNN’s NYE drinking ban via the clip below.
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